Shropshire MPs' column: Thanking Keir Starmer and highlighting exciting rural transport opportunities

It’s always a privilege to be able to stand up in the House of Commons and ask a question of the Prime Minister, and last week’s PMQs were of course especially momentous.

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It was Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s final PMQs, and we were all witness to a significant moment and a very moving exchange of views across the chamber, characterised – for a change – by civility, mutual respect, calmness and kindness.

For my part, I wanted to use my question to highlight the fantastic work being done by Shrewsbury College and its bid for a new construction skills centre.

The college delivers high-quality vocational qualifications, helping equip people with the skills they need to succeed while supporting local employers and economic growth.

I asked how the Government can help colleges like Shrewsbury College expand their provision further to meet growing demand across Shropshire and ensure more people can access these opportunities.

I thank the Prime Minister for his positive and encouraging response and for recognising the vital role that further education and vocational training play in building the skilled workforce our economy needs.

From education to transport – and a new shuttle bus service for people living in villages just outside Shrewsbury who asked for better connections in and out of the town.

I’m delighted to be able to say that a pilot service – operated by the charity Dial-a-Ride – is currently running, following on from a coffee morning discussion I hosted in Upton Magna in May.

There was so much enthusiasm from villagers to try to get a reliable bus service to and from the town centre, that I immediately got in touch with Dial-a-Ride, a community transport organisation that uses volunteer drivers. They were also keen on the idea and a shuttle bus service has now been running on Saturdays throughout June and July.

I’ve now written to every household in Upton Magna, Uffington and Withington, encouraging more people to use the service. Our message is use it, support it and help secure its future.

The service will help keep villages connected, support local volunteers, reduce unnecessary car journeys, and demonstrate that our rural communities deserve reliable transport.

Dial-a-Ride's chief officer Neil Langford has said there’s a genuine and exciting opportunity here – “not just to help in the short term but also to give us the chance to rethink how we do things at Dial-a-Ride so we better meet the needs of more rural communities”.

And if we can make this work for Upton Magna and neighbouring villages, perhaps there’s scope to make it work in other rural areas.

To find out more about my work both in the constituency and in Westminster, sign up to my newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/4zyust26.